JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport has topped the 10,000-enplanement mark for the third straight year.
The airport hit the goal this past week, a month ahead of its 2024 pace. SkyWest Airlines Supervisor Nathan Pilkington delivered the update to the airport’s board during its monthly meeting Tuesday.
With the airport’s month-to-month passenger numbers ahead of last year’s pace, it never seemed like a question of “if” the milestone would be reached in 2025 – but it was a welcomed “when,” board members said.
“I think that’s fantastic to see halfway through the year,” board Chairman Tim McIlwain said, crediting staff, SkyWest and enplanement committee members.
SkyWest offers daily United Express flights from the airport in Richland Township to Washington Dulles and Chicago O’Hare international airports.
And hitting the 10,000-enplanement goal is more than just a milestone for smaller commercial airports. Airports logging a minimum of 10,000 enplanements, or paid boardings, in a calendar year are classified as Primary Commercial Service airports.
That boosts its annual Airport Improvement Program fund allocation from the federal government to a minimum of $1 million, guidelines show. Airport officials can use those funds for runway repairs, new maintenance equipment and safety upgrades – many of the largest capital costs that airports routinely face.
Through 2027, Primary Commercial Service airports also receive an annual Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocation, which totaled $1.3 million over the past year – and those funds offer even more flexibility to undertake new projects, Airport Manager Cory Cree said.
Cambria County Commissioner Thomas Chernisky, who attended Tuesday’s meeting, praised the board and its partnerships for its trend of positive momentum.
“The parking lot is full. That’s a great problem to have,” he said, crediting a “team” approach.
Rising commercial passenger numbers are helping the airport “build an economy here,” he added, because the funds it generates are helping airport officials move other priorities forward.
Cree didn’t have to look far to illustrate that point. Tuesday’s meeting agenda included four projects that were approved for final design, engineering and bid packet preparation that are being at least partially covered through its annual federal allocations.
A little more than $200,000 in engineering costs were approved Tuesday, enabling their engineering firm, GFT, formerly TranSystems Corp., to prepare documents needed to steer several projects to construction.
That included:
• A $159,542 engineering contract to add a new parking lot and rehabilitate the existing overflow lot to create more space for vehicles near the terminal and the Boyd “Buzz” Wagner fighter plane memorial. The current lots are routinely full.
• A $47,214 engineering contract to add new lighting on the airport’s A and B taxiways.
• A $20,675 engineering contract to replace required signage on the same corridor.
• A $53,571 project to re-mark, crack-seal and seal-coat one of the airport’s runways.
The goal is to have each of those projects under construction in 2026. Each work order is pending Federal Aviation Administration approval, Cree said.
The board is separately exploring options that could add solar panels to existing structures such as hangars, or new ones, to offset energy costs.
The idea is still in the earliest stages, with officials having interest from several parties, Cree said. But potential future projects could also tie in, he added.
On Tuesday, the authority approved a $3 million Multimodal Transportation Fund application that, if approved, could enable the authority to add a portico to one or more airport entrances. That would allow passengers to be dropped off with their luggage at the terminal’s doorstep while avoiding inclement weather.
Cree said providing cover for the main entrance is a top priority. But he also said the authority could explore adding a canopy over the airport’s main parking lot that would also enable airport users to avoid stormy conditions on their way into the building.
That canopy could also be equipped with solar panels that could cover costs or generate regular revenue, Cree added. Efforts would have to be studied to ensure panel “glare” wouldn’t be an issue for incoming flights, he added.
Drone814 set to launch
Drone814 could make national history next week if certain emergency calls require medical aid. The medical drone initiative is expected to start its live trial phase next week, perhaps as early as Monday, Aerium’s Matt Crocco said.
The drone would be deployed for certain hours for specific calls, such as an overdose or a cardiac event, in the Johnstown and West Hills areas by Cambria County 911 dispatchers, in addition to an ambulance and any other first responders a call might require.
This will be the first time a live medical supply delivery ever occurred in a community, Aerium’s Larry Nulton said. The pilot project will help determine if the project can be expanded across the area.
Conference date set
Aerium’s plans to host the Aviation Council of Pennsylvania’s statewide conference this fall have a date set.
The event will be held Oct. 6-8 and will also include Aerium’s fall summit at the Frank J. Pasquerilla Conference Center in downtown Johnstown.
Planners describe the event as a premier gathering of industry leaders, policymakers and innovators “who are shaping the future of Pennsylvania’s $34 billion aviation industry.”
Aerium will host education-themed events, including access to discovery flights, a miniature career fair for students and a scavenger hunt with exhibitors. Other events will focus on education efforts aimed at growing Pennsylvania’s aviation workforce.